Sir Ian McGeechan didn't pick Marcus Smith in His British & Irish Lions XV
11/19/2024 04:30 PM
At the age of 77, British & Irish Lions legend Sir Ian McGeechan hasn't lost his touch for sparking rugby debate.
The coaching icon, who led the Lions to glory on four separate tours, unveiled his dream team for the 2025 tour to Australia—and it’s sure to get fans talking.
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The Mastermind Behind the Lions
McGeechan, revered for his spellbinding strategies, helmed the Lions as head coach in 1989, 1993, 1997, and 2009. He also worked alongside Warren Gatland in 2005 and left his mark coaching Scotland, Northampton Saints, Wasps, and Bath, where he wrapped up his coaching career in 2012.
Oh, and as if that wasn’t enough, he had a stellar playing career as a fly-half or centre for Scotland, with 32 caps and two Lions tours (1974 and 1977) under his belt.
Despite Wales finishing rock bottom in the Six Nations, McGeechan still found room for two Welsh stars in his squad. Talk about seeing potential in adversity!
Blair Kinghorn – Scotland's Rising Star at 15
Taking the hotly contested fullback spot, Kinghorn gets the nod, and you can bet his attacking flair caught McGeechan's eye.
Duhan van der Merwe – The Wrecking Ball Wing
Duhan, the giant Scottish wing, is in to terrorize Aussie defenders once again. His ability to bulldoze past tacklers earns him this prestigious jersey.
Tommy Freeman – England's Emerging Force at 13
Yes, you read that right! Freeman, the English sensation, lands a spot at outside centre. McGeechan must see him as a key weapon for 2025.
Sione Tuipulotu – Scotland's Hard-Hitting 12
Sione has made waves for Scotland, and McGeechan rates his blend of power and agility. A midfield enforcer with a soft touch? Yes, please.
James Lowe – The Try-Scoring Irishman
Lowe's game-breaking ability puts him in this dream backline. With his impressive finishing and tactical kicks, he's a perfect pick.
Finn Russell – The Maverick Fly-Half
No surprises here. Russell's flair and unpredictability make him a no-brainer for McGeechan's fly-half role. Magic incoming!
Jamison Gibson-Park – Ireland's High-Speed Scrum-Half
The Kiwi-turned-Irish scrum-half completes the starting backline, bringing tempo and spark to the attack.
The Big Men Up Front
Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, and Tadhg Furlong
The Irish front row: Porter's power, Sheehan's dynamism, and Furlong's scrummaging prowess make for a near-unstoppable trio.
Maro Itoje – England's Defensive Giant
How could you leave out Itoje? The England lock's presence and game-changing plays secure his spot.
Tadhg Beirne – The Ultimate Workhorse
Beirne, a breakdown specialist and ball carrier, partners Itoje in a lock pairing that dreams are made of.
Jamie Ritchie – The Scottish Skipper
McGeechan's choice for blindside flanker is Ritchie, a leader and defensive rock for Scotland.
Jac Morgan – Wales' Back Row Dynamo
Despite a tough Six Nations campaign for Wales, Morgan's individual brilliance shone through, earning him the No. 7 jersey.
Ben Earl – England's Powerful No. 8
Earl's explosive runs and versatility make him the perfect pick for the Lions’ back row. Expect fireworks.
Bench Boosts and Impact Players
- Dewi Lake – The Welsh dynamo hooker
- Pierre Schoeman – Scotland's scrumming machine
- Zander Fagerson – Another Scottish powerhouse in the front row
- Joe McCarthy – Ireland's promising lock
- Chandler Cunningham-South – England's rising back-row star
- Alex Mitchell – The English half-back maestro
- Jack Crowley – The fly-half ready to spark the game
- Immanuel Feyi-Waboso – England's electric young centre
EDITORS PICKS:
- Scotland coach is bookies favourite to replace Warren Gatland following record loss
- Sir Ian Botham's Grandson allowed to play on despite being 'knocked' out for Wales against Australia
- Ugo Monye calls out Courtney Lawes 'bullish**' live on air following England defeat
- England's collapse down the world rankings lands them in group of death for 2027 Rugby World Cup
- Ben Earl faces criticism for controversial incident moments before halftime against the Springboks
QUIZ: Can You Name Every British & Irish Lions captain since 2001?
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